Method for producing composite material component and device for producing composite material component

ABSTRACT

A composite material component manufacturing method including a first thermoforming step for creating a first three-dimensional prepreg sheet by thermoforming a thermoplastic first prepreg sheet into a three dimensional shape, a laminate body creating step for creating a prepreg sheet laminate body by layering the first three-dimensional prepreg sheet and a second prepreg sheet; and a laminate body molding step for molding the prepreg sheet laminate body by applying heat and a pressing force to the prepreg sheet laminate body with a pressing device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a composite material component manufacturing method and a composite material component manufacturing device.

Composite material components composed of fibers and resin are used in various products such as aircraft and automobiles.

When an elongated composite material component is molded, a pultrusion molding method, an advanced pultrusion molding method (hereinafter referred to as an “ADP molding method”) or the like is used. In pultrusion molding methods and ADP molding methods, a prepreg sheet in which a thermosetting resin is impregnated in a continuous fiber such as a unidirectional fiber, a woven fabric, or the like is generally used.

As a related technique, Patent Document 1 describes a molding method of a plastic-based composite material. In the molding method of the plastic-based composite material described in Patent Document 1, when a plastic material that has been reinforced with fibers is heated and pressed for molding, the plastic material is intermittently heated and pressed, and the plastic material is transferred when the pressurization is released.

In addition, Patent Document 2 describes a continuous molding device for H-shaped members made of FRP. The continuous molding device for the FRP H-shaped members described in Patent Document 2 includes a pressing device for applying heat and pressure to a prepreg material, and a device for pulling and fixing the prepreg material. Furthermore, Patent Document 3 describes a continuous molding method of composite material profiles having different cross-sections. In the molding method described in Patent Document 3, a composite mold material whose cross section differs according to the position along the longitudinal direction (for example, a composite mold material whose thickness dimension differs according to the position along the longitudinal direction) is molded by using a moving die whose outer surface dimension differs according to the position along the longitudinal direction.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Examined Patent Application Publication No. 6-18730

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-191418

[Patent Document 3] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-115822

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

In the conventional molding methods (pultrusion molding methods, ADP molding methods, or the like), when a composite material component is formed using N prepreg sheets, bending processing was performed with respect to a prepreg sheet laminate body in which N prepreg sheets are layered. Accordingly, when a prepreg sheet laminate body having a large thickness is bent, wrinkles easily occurred in the prepreg sheet laminate body. In addition, in cases in which the prepreg sheet is a thermoplastic resin, in a state where the resin is not softened by heat at room temperature or the like, the pressure required for the bending process increases, and the frictional force between the pressing roller used to perform the bending process and the prepreg sheet laminate body tends to increase. In addition, if the prepreg sheet laminate body is bent in a non-softened state, there is a possibility that the prepreg sheet laminate body will be broken and damaged, and even if the prepreg sheet laminate body is not damaged, wrinkles tend to occur in the prepreg sheet laminate body. Further, in cases in which a protective film (a release film) is disposed on the surface of the prepreg sheet laminate body, if a large frictional force acts on the prepreg sheet laminate body, the protective film is damaged.

Further, if the frictional force increases in the bending process, the prepreg sheet laminate body may move erratically with respect to the molding line when the prepreg sheet laminate body is transferred, and stable molding of the prepreg sheet laminate body may become difficult.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a composite material component manufacturing method and a composite material component manufacturing device capable of suppressing the occurrence of wrinkles and breakage in prepreg sheet laminate bodies and stably performing continuous molding.

Solution to Problem

In order to achieve the above object, the composite material component manufacturing method according to the present invention includes a first thermoforming step for creating a first three-dimensional prepreg sheet by thermoforming a thermoplastic first prepreg sheet into a three dimensional shape, a laminate body creating step for creating a prepreg sheet laminate body by layering the first three-dimensional prepreg sheet and a second prepreg sheet, and a laminate body molding step for molding the prepreg sheet laminate body by applying heat and a pressing force to the prepreg sheet laminate body with a pressing device.

In addition, the composite material component manufacturing device according to the present invention includes a molding device configured to process a thermoplastic prepreg sheet into a first three-dimensional prepreg sheet, and a pressing device configured to apply heat and a pressing force to a prepreg sheet laminate body, which is a laminate body of the first three-dimensional prepreg sheet and a second prepreg sheet.

Effect of the Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a composite material component manufacturing method and a composite material component manufacturing device capable of suppressing the occurrence of wrinkles and breakage in prepreg sheet laminate bodies and stably performing continuous molding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a composite material component manufacturing method according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which a prepreg sheet is cut out from a prepreg having a continuous band shape.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state of molding the cut prepreg sheet.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state of molding the cut prepreg sheet.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a composite material component manufacturing device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 6A is a schematic side view of a transfer device.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a schematic side view of the transfer device.

FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 6C.

FIG. 7A is a schematic perspective view of the transfer device.

FIG. 7B is a schematic front view of the transfer device.

FIG. 7C is a schematic side view of the transfer device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating a composite material component manufacturing device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating the arrangement of a composite material component manufacturing device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10A is a schematic plan view illustrating one step of a composite material component manufacturing method according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10B is a schematic plan view illustrating one step of a composite material component manufacturing method according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11A is a schematic perspective view of the transfer device.

FIG. 11B is a schematic front view of the transfer device.

FIG. 11C is a schematic side view of the transfer device.

FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state of molding a cut prepreg sheet.

FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state of molding a cut prepreg sheet.

FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating a composite material component manufacturing device according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating a composite material component manufacturing device according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a partially exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a composite material component manufacturing device according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically illustrating a composite material component manufacturing device according to the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a partially enlarged view of the composite material component manufacturing device according to the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view schematically illustrating an example of a composite material component formed by the composite material component manufacturing method according to the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a partially exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a composite material component manufacturing device according to the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a partially enlarged view of the composite material component manufacturing device according to the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a schematic perspective view schematically illustrating an example of a composite material component formed by the composite material component manufacturing method according to the eighth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)

Hereinafter, a composite material component manufacturing method and a composite material component manufacturing device 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that in the following description of the embodiments, parts and members having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions of parts and members denoted by the same reference numerals are omitted.

First Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, a composite material component manufacturing method and a composite material component manufacturing device 1B according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a composite material component manufacturing method according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which a prepreg sheet P2 is cut out from a prepreg P1 having a continuous band shape. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state of molding the cut prepreg sheet P2. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state of molding the cut prepreg sheet P2. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a composite material component manufacturing device 1B according to a first embodiment. It should be noted that, in FIG. 5, in order to avoid complication of the drawing, the configuration of the composite material component manufacturing device 1B is illustrated in a simplified manner.

(Composite Material Component Manufacturing Method)

A composite material component manufacturing method according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in Step ST101, the prepreg sheet P2 is cut out from a prepreg P1 having a continuous-band shape. The cutting of the prepreg P1 can be performed using a known cutting device. It should be noted that, in the case that a small prepreg sheet P2 (for example, a strip-shaped prepreg sheet P2) has been prepared, Step ST101 can be omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in Step ST102, one of the prepreg sheets P2, that is, the first prepreg sheet P2-1, is thermoformed into a three-dimensional shape. It should be noted that, in the present specification, a three-dimensional shape refers to a shape other than a two-dimensional planar shape. The three-dimensional shape is, for example, a shape having at least one bent portion. In this case, Step ST102 includes a bending process. The first prepreg sheet P2-1 is thermoplastic (put differently, the material of the first prepreg sheet P2-1 is thermoplastic). In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the first three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 is produced from the two-dimensional prepreg sheet P2 (a planar-shaped prepreg sheet) by executing Step ST102.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the prepreg sheet P2 is thermoformed into a three-dimensional shape by using a molding device 60 (a hot press device 60-1). More specifically, first, the prepreg sheet P2 is placed on a support member 61. Next, the prepreg sheet P2 is pressed by the hot press device 60-1; more specifically, the prepreg sheet P2 is sandwiched between the hot press device 60-1 and the support member 61, thereby bending the prepreg sheet P2. As a result, a prepreg sheet P3 thermoformed into a three-dimensional shape (a prepreg sheet P3 that has undergone bend processing) is obtained.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, Step ST102 is performed using the hot press device 60-1. The hot press device 60-1 may be a mold member illustrated in FIG. 3. Alternatively, the thermoforming device for performing Step ST102 may be a device configured to press the prepreg sheet P2 along the surface of the support member 61 using a film or the like while heating the prepreg sheet P2 with heaters or the like. Further, alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 4, Step ST102 may be performed using other thermoforming devices 60-2, such as soldering irons, ultrasonic heating devices (ultrasonic welding devices), heat rolls, or the like. In this case, the prepreg sheet P2 placed on the support member 61 is softened and deformed by being heated by the thermoforming apparatus 60-2. In this way, the prepreg sheet P2 is bent. As a result, a prepreg sheet P3 thermoformed into a three-dimensional shape (a prepreg sheet P3 that has undergone bend processing) is obtained.

It should be noted that Step ST102 may be performed manually or automatically mechanically. When performing automation, for example, the hot press device 60-1 may be driven by a driving device 63 such as an actuator. Alternatively, when performing automation, a thermoforming device 60-2, such as a soldering iron or an ultrasonic heating device, may be mounted on the tip of a robot arm 64 to drive the robot arm.

In Step ST103, the molded three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 and another thermoplastic prepreg sheet P3′ (a second prepreg sheet) are layered. Similar to the three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3, the another prepreg sheet P3′ may be a three-dimensional prepreg sheet produced using the above-described molding step (Step ST102). In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, each of the three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 and the another prepreg sheet P3′ is a three-dimensional prepreg sheet having a bent portion Q (three-dimensional prepreg sheets that have undergone bending processing). In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the bent portion Q is a bent portion Q formed along the longitudinal direction of each prepreg sheet. The bent portion Q extends from one end to the other end of each prepreg sheet.

It should be noted that, in cases in which the first three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 and the second three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3′ are layered in Step ST103, the first thermoforming step of creating the first three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 by thermoforming the first prepreg sheet P2-1 into a three dimensional shape and the second thermoforming step of creating the second three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3′ by thermoforming the second prepreg sheet P2-2 into a three-dimensional shape may be performed prior to Step ST103. It should be noted that the molding device 60 for executing the first thermoforming step and the molding device for executing the second thermoforming step may be the same device or different devices.

Similarly, in cases in which the first three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3, the second three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3′, and the third three-dimensional prepreg sheet are layered in Step ST103, the above described first thermoforming step, the above-described second thermoforming step, and a third thermoforming step of creating a third three-dimensional prepreg sheet by thermoforming the third prepreg sheet P2-3 into a three-dimensional state may be executed prior to Step ST103.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, another prepreg sheet P3′ is placed on the three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 to form a prepreg sheet laminate body P4. It should be noted that it is preferable that the three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 and the another prepreg sheet P3′ (that is, the prepreg sheet laminate body P4) be temporarily fixed (for example, partially welded) by an arbitrary welding device 70 such as a soldering iron or an ultrasonic heating device (an ultrasonic welding device). In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 immediately after the laminate body producing step of layering the three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 and the another prepreg sheet P3′ includes a bent portion Q1 formed along the longitudinal direction of the prepreg sheet laminate body P4. The bent portion Q1 extends from one end to the other end of the prepreg sheet laminate body P4. In other words, the length of the bent portion Q1 formed in the prepreg sheet laminate P4 is equal to the length of the prepreg sheet laminate body P4. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, at the time when the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 is produced, the bent portion Q1 is already formed. Accordingly, it is unnecessary to perform bending processing on the entire prepreg sheet laminate body P4 after the preparation of the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 is completed. Accordingly, the occurrence of wrinkles or breakage in the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 is suppressed, and the laminate body P4 does not move erratically at the time of transfer, such that it is possible to stably perform continuous molding.

It should be noted that, in Step ST104, a plurality of prepreg sheet laminate bodies P4 are connected along the prepreg transport direction. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, a plurality of prepreg sheet laminate bodies P4 are arranged along the prepreg transfer direction, and adjacent prepreg sheet laminate bodies P4 are connected to each other by an arbitrary welding device 70 such as a soldering iron, an ultrasonic heating device (ultrasonic welding device), or the like. By connecting the plurality of prepreg sheet laminate bodies P4, a continuous, elongated prepreg PP is produced. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the upstream end P4-a of the prepreg sheet laminate body P4-1 in the transfer direction is connected (welded) to the downstream end P4-b of another prepreg sheet laminate body P4-2 in the transfer direction.

It should be noted that Step ST104 may be executed separately from Step ST103, or may be executed simultaneously with Step ST103. In addition, when one prepreg sheet laminate P4 is sufficiently long, Step ST104 (the step of connecting a plurality of prepreg sheet laminate bodies) may be omitted.

Steps ST103 and ST104 may be performed manually or automatically mechanically. When performing automation, for example, a welding device 70 such as a soldering iron or an ultrasonic heating device may be mounted on a welding device moving device 72 (for example, a robot arm). In other words, the composite material component manufacturing device 1B may include a welding device 70 and a welding device moving device 72 that connect neighboring prepreg sheet laminate bodies P4. The composite material component manufacturing device 1B may include a rail member 74, which will be described later.

Alternatively, or additionally, the composite material component manufacturing device 1B may include a transfer apparatus 73 (for example, a robotic arm) for transferring the first three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 onto the rail member 74. The transfer device 73 places the second prepreg sheet P3′ (the second three-dimensional prepreg sheet) on the first three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3.

In Step ST105, the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 is transferred along the transfer direction. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 is fed toward the pressing device 20 by the transfer device 2, and the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 thermoformed by the pressing device 20 is fed further downstream from the pressing device 20. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, since the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 does not need to be subjected to bending processing when transferring the prepreg sheet laminate body P4, the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 does not move erratically during transfer of the prepreg sheet laminate body P4. Further, since it is not necessary to perform bending processing on the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 when transferring the prepreg sheet laminate body P4, the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 can be fed to the pressing device 20 in a state in which the dimensional balance of the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 in the horizontal direction and the dimensional balance in the vertical direction are maintained. Details of the transfer device 2 and the pressing device 20 will be described later.

In Step ST106, a laminate body molding step is performed. The laminate body molding step is a step of applying heat and a pressing force to the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 by the pressing device 20 to mold the prepreg sheet laminate body. The thermoplastic prepreg sheet laminate body P4 is softened and molded by the laminate body molding step. It should be noted that the shape of the prepreg sheet laminate body after undergoing molding in the laminate body molding step is preferably the same shape or approximately the same shape as the shape of the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 prior to undergoing molding in the laminate body molding step. In addition, in the laminate body molding step, the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 is preferably heated to a temperature greater than or equal to its melting point.

It should be noted that Step ST105 (the transfer step) may be performed after Step ST103 and Step ST104, or may be performed in parallel with Step ST103 and Step ST104.

In the first embodiment, a three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 molded into a three-dimensional shape and another prepreg sheet P3′ are layered to prepare a prepreg PP to be supplied to the pressing device 20. When bending processing is performed in a state in which a plurality of prepreg sheets are stacked, wrinkles tend to occur in each prepreg sheet. In contrast, in the first embodiment, bending processing is performed on the prepreg sheet P2 in Step ST102, and thereafter, the three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 that was subjected to the bending processing is layered on the another prepreg sheet P3′. Accordingly, wrinkles are less likely to occur in the three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3.

It should be noted that in Step ST102, it is preferable that the bending process is performed for each individual prepreg sheet. However, when some amount of wrinkles can be tolerated, the bending processing may be performed in a state in which a plurality of prepreg sheets (for example, 2 to 40 sheets) are stacked. In this case, the three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 is a laminate type prepreg sheet composed of a plurality of prepreg sheets. Similarly, the another prepreg sheet P3′ may be a single layer type prepreg sheet composed of one prepreg sheet, or may be a laminated type prepreg sheet composed of a plurality of prepreg sheets (for example, 2 to 40 sheets).

In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, Step ST103 (a step of layering the three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 and the another prepreg sheet P3′) is performed on the rail member 74. That is, the molded three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 is placed on the rail member 74, and the another prepreg sheet P3′ is placed on the three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3. Alternatively, the pre-laminated prepreg sheet laminate P4 may be placed on the rail member 74. It should be noted that the transport of the three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 or the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 to the rail member 74 may be performed manually or may be performed by the transport device 73.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 is composed of two prepreg sheets (P3 and P3′). Alternatively, the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 may be composed of three or more prepreg sheets (P3, P3′ . . . ).

In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, Step ST104 (a step of connecting a plurality of prepreg sheet laminate bodies) is performed on the rail member 74. That is, in a state in which the plurality of prepreg sheet laminate bodies are placed on the rail member 74, a step of connecting the plurality of prepreg sheet laminate bodies P4 by the welding device 70 is performed.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, when Step ST105 (a step of transferring the prepreg PP) is performed, the prepreg PP, that is, the connected prepreg sheet laminate bodies P4, slides on the rail member 74. That is, the rail member 74 functions as a guide member that defines the moving direction of the connected prepreg sheet laminate bodies P4. The rail member 74 may be formed of metal or plastic. Since the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 has been subjected to bending processing in advance, it is easy to transfer the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 along the rail member (the guide member). For example, if the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 is transferred in a state in which the bent portion of the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 is aligned with the corner portion of the rail member 74, the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 can be stably transferred.

It should be noted that the composite material component manufactured by the composite material component manufacturing method according to the first embodiment may be an aircraft component, an automobile component, or any other component for consumer equipment. The composite material component may, for example, be a structural material of an aircraft fuselage (fuselage skin, etc.), a wing (wing skin, wing spar, etc.), a door panel, a floor spar, or the like.

Variation of the First Embodiment

In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which a three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 that has been molded into a three-dimensional shape and another prepreg sheet P3′ that has been molded into a three-dimensional shape are layered to produce a prepreg sheet laminate body P4. Alternatively, the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 may be manufactured by layering a three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 that has been molded into a three-dimensional shape and a prepreg sheet having a two-dimensional shape (planar shape). In other words, the prepreg sheet P3′ according to the first embodiment may be replaced with a prepreg sheet having a two-dimensional shape (a planar shape).

(Outline of Transfer Device 2)

An overview of the transfer device 2 that constitutes a portion of the composite material component manufacturing device 1B according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D. FIG. 6A is a schematic side view of the transfer device 2. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 6A. FIG. 6C is a schematic side view of the transfer device 2. FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 6C.

In the examples illustrated in FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D, the transfer device 2 is a device for transferring the prepreg PP (the prepreg sheet laminate body P4) and transfers the prepreg PP via the pressing device 20. Then, the transfer device 2 moves the prepreg PP together with the pressing device 20 in a state in which a pressing force is applied to the prepreg PP by the pressing device 20. Alternatively, the transfer device 2 may be a transfer device in which a pulling device 28 arranged downstream of the pressing device 20 transfers the prepreg PP by pulling the prepreg PP (see FIG. 9. for example).

In the example illustrated in FIG. 6A, the arrow AM indicates the direction of action of the pressing force from a first pressing member 21-1 that constitutes a portion of the pressing device 20 on the prepreg PP, the arrow AR2 indicates the direction of action of the pressing force from a second pressing member 21-2 that constitutes a part of the pressing device 20 on the prepreg PP, and the arrow AR indicates the direction of transfer of the prepreg PP. The prepreg PP is transported together with the pressing device 20 (the first pressing member 21-1 and the second pressing member 21-2) in the direction indicated by the arrow AR in a state in which a pressing force is applied by the pressing device 20 (the first pressing member 21-1 and the second pressing member 21-2). [0043]

In FIG. 6A, a first pressing member 21-1 and a second pressing member 21-2, which constitute parts of the pressing device 20, are illustrated. The first pressing member 21-1 and the second pressing member 21-2 are disposed opposite to each other with the prepreg PP interposed therebetween, and can sandwich the prepreg PP.

When the direction in which the first pressing member 21-1 applies the pressing force to the prepreg PP is defined as the “first direction,” the direction in which the second pressing member 21-2 applies the pressing force to the prepreg PP is opposite to the “first direction.” In the example illustrated in FIG. 6A, when the pressing force is applied to the prepreg PP, the first pressing member 21-1 moves in the first direction, and the second pressing member 21-2 moves in a direction opposed to the first direction. Alternatively, when the pressing force is applied to the prepreg PP, only one of the first pressing member 21-1 or the second pressing member 21-2 may move, and the other of the first pressing member 21-1 or the second pressing member 21-2 may not move.

In FIG. 6B, in addition to the first pressing member 21-1 and the second pressing member 21-2, a third pressing member 21-3 and a fourth pressing member 21-4, which form parts of the pressing device 20, are illustrated. When a pressing force is applied to the prepreg PP, the third pressing member 21-3 moves in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the fourth pressing member 21-4 moves in a direction opposite to the movement direction of the third pressing member.

In FIG. 6B, the pressing device 20 includes four pressing members (the first pressing member 21-1, the second pressing member 21-2, the third pressing member 21-3, and the fourth pressing member 21-4), but the number of the pressing members 21 included in the pressing device 20 is not limited to four, and may be any number. The number of the pressing members may be two (the first pressing member 21-1 and the second pressing member 21-2), or may be three, five, six, or the like. The direction of action of the pressing force may be appropriately changed in accordance with the shape or the number of the pressing members. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 6B, the direction of action of the pressing force of the third pressing member 21-3 is perpendicular to the direction of action of the pressing force of the first pressing member 21-1, but the direction of action of the pressing force of the third pressing member 21-3 need not be perpendicular to the direction of action of the pressing force of the first pressing member 21-1.

The pressing device 20 includes a heat generating means such as a heater H. Therefore, when the pressing device 20 is pressing the prepreg PP, heat is applied to the prepreg PP, and the prepreg PP is suitably molded. The heat generating means (the heater H) may be provided in each of the plurality of pressing members (21-1, 21-2, 21-3, 21-4), or may be provided in only some of the plurality of pressing members. [0048]

Referring to FIG. 6A, the prepreg PP moves in the second direction (the direction indicated by the arrow AR) together with the pressing device 20 (more specifically, the first pressing member 21-1) while the pressing force is applied in the first direction by the pressing device 20 (more specifically, the first pressing member 21-1). In the example illustrated in FIG. 6A, the second direction is a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

In FIG. 6A, the prepreg PP moves together with the first pressing member 21-1 and the second pressing member 21-2 while the prepreg PP is sandwiched by the first pressing member 21-1 and the second pressing member 21-2. At this time, a portion D1 that has been softened by the heating does not move relative to the first pressing member 21-1 and the second pressing member 21-2. Accordingly, tension does not act on the portion D1 that has been softened by the heating. When the prepreg PP is transferred, the heater H included in the pressing device 20 may be turned on or off. The heater H may be constantly turned on during the operation of the composite material component manufacturing device.

In FIG. 6B, the prepreg PP moves together with the first to fourth pressing members 21-1 to 21-4 while the prepreg PP is sandwiched by the first pressing member 21-1 and the second pressing member 21-2, and also sandwiched by the third pressing member 21-3 and the fourth pressing member 21-4. In this case, the transfer of the prepreg PP is carried out more reliably. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6B, when the prepreg PP is transferred, the entire circumference of the prepreg PP (that is, the entire circumference of a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the prepreg PP), contacts the pressing device 20. For this reason, the shape of the prepreg PP does not collapse when the prepreg PP is transferred.

After the prepreg PP has moved a predetermined distance in the second direction, the pressing force applied to the prepreg PP is released. In FIG. 6C, the first pressing member 21-1 moves in a direction away from the prepreg PP, and the second pressing member 21-2 moves in a direction away from the prepreg PP. It should be noted that, as illustrated in FIG. 6D, the first pressing member 21-1 may not move, and may remain in contact with the prepreg PP.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 6D, the second pressing member 21-2 moves in a direction away from the prepreg PP, the third pressing member 21-3 moves in a direction away from the prepreg PP, and the fourth pressing member 21-4 moves in a direction away from the prepreg PP. It should be noted that, in the example illustrated in FIG. 6D, the first pressing member 21-1 may also move away from the prepreg PP.

Next, the pressing device 20 moves in a direction opposite to the transfer direction of the prepreg PP (in the direction indicated by the arrow AR′ in FIG. 6C). That is, the first pressing member 21-1 and the second pressing member 21-2 (or the first to fourth pressing members 21-1 to 21-4) move in the direction indicated by the arrow AR′. Then, the pressing device 20 returns to its original position (the home position). In this way, a composite material component is produced. It should be noted that, thereafter, the composite material component may be subjected to further processing, such as cutting.

The transfer of the prepreg PP by the transfer device 2 and the thermoforming of the prepreg PP by the pressing device 20 are repeatedly performed. As a result, composite material components are continuously manufactured (formed).

In the examples illustrated in FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D, the prepreg PP moves together with the pressing device 20 in a state in which a pressing force is applied by the pressing device 20. Accordingly, the prepreg PP can be transferred without applying a load (tension) to the portion D1 softened by the heat from the pressing device 20. Referring now to FIG. 6A, it should be noted that when the prepreg PP is transferred, tension acts on a portion D2 of the prepreg PP that is upstream of the pressing device 20. However, since the portion D2 is not softened by the pressing device 20, there is no particular problem even if tension acts on the portion D2. It should be noted that the portion between the portion D1 and the portion D2 is a portion having a lower temperature than the portion D1 due to the influence of the outside air or the like, and is a portion having a relatively small influence of softening of the prepreg PP.

In addition, in the examples illustrated in FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D, tension is not applied to the portion D1 softened by heat from the pressing device 20. Accordingly, it is possible to use a prepreg composed of a resin and a discontinuous fiber, such as a long fiber or a short fiber, as the prepreg PP. Alternatively, when a prepreg composed of a resin and a continuous fiber, such as a unidirectional fiber or a textile material, is used as the prepreg PP, it is also possible to use a pulling type molding method (pultrusion molding methods, ADP molding methods, or the like). However, in the pulling type molding methods, tension is applied to the portion softened by the heat from the pressing device 20, so that a residual stress is generated in the composite material component after molding. Specifically, since tension is applied to the fiber direction of each layer, residual stress is generated between adjacent layers having different fiber directions, and a twist or the like may be generated in the molded product. In contrast, in the examples illustrated in FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D, residual stress is not generated in the composite material component after molding, or the residual stress is reduced.

As measures for not applying tension to the portion softened by the heat from the pressing device 20, a measure for disposing the entire prepreg in an autoclave and molding it, or a measure of forming the prepreg using a large press machine can be considered. However, in cases in which these measures are used to manufacture elongated composite material components, large equipment becomes necessary. On the other hand, in the composite material component manufacturing method according to the first embodiment, it is possible to manufacture elongated composite material components with small-sized equipment without applying tension to the portion softened by heat from the pressing device 20. In addition, in the examples illustrated in FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D, since the composite material components are formed continuously, a component of an arbitrary length (a composite material component of an arbitrary length) can be manufactured by adding a cutting step.

It should be noted that in the examples described in FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D (or the examples described in FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C, which will be described later), the cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the molded composite material component does not change along the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, by performing molding using a moving mold or the like illustrated in Patent Document 3, a composite material component may be formed in which the cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the composite material component (for example, a plate thickness of the composite material component) changes in accordance with the position in a direction along the longitudinal direction.

(Details of Transfer Device 2)

Next, the transfer device 2 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C. FIG. 7A is a schematic perspective view of the transfer device 2. FIG. 7B is a schematic front view of the transfer device 2. FIG. 7C is a schematic side view of the transfer device 2.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 7A, the transfer device 2 includes a pressing device 20, and the pressing device 20 includes a pressing member 21 and a pressing actuator 22. The pressing device 20 may include a frame 24.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 7B, the pressing device 20 includes a first pressing member 21-1, a second pressing member 21-2, a third pressing member 21-3, a fourth pressing member 21-4, a first actuator 22-1, a second actuator 22-2, a third actuator 22-3, and a fourth actuator 22-4. It should be noted that in the first embodiment, the number of the pressing members 21 is not limited to four and may be any number, and the number of the pressing actuators 22 is not limited to four and may be any number.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 7B, the first pressing member 21-1 is a member that presses the prepreg PP from below the prepreg PP, and the second pressing member 21-2 is a member that presses the prepreg PP from above the prepreg PP. The prepreg PP is sandwiched by the first pressing member 21-1 and the second pressing member 21-2. In addition, the third pressing member 21-3 and the fourth pressing member 21-4 are members for pressing the prepreg PP from the side. The prepreg PP is sandwiched between the third pressing member 21-3 and the first pressing member 21-1, and is sandwiched between the fourth pressing member 21-4 and the first pressing member 21-1.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 7B, the pressing member 21 is moved in a direction toward the prepreg PP or a direction away from the prepreg PP by the pressing actuator 22. More specifically, the first pressing member 21-1 is moved by the first actuator 22-1, the second pressing member 21-2 is moved by the second actuator 22-2, the third pressing member 21-3 is moved by the third actuator 22-3, and the fourth pressing member 21-4 is moved by the fourth actuator 22-4. Alternatively, at least one of the plurality of pressing actuators may be omitted. For example, the first actuator 22-1 may be omitted, and the first pressing member 21-1 may not be movable in the vertical direction.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 7B, the main body portion 22 a of the pressing actuator 22 is connected to a frame 24, and the main body portion 22 a of the pressing actuator 22 is supported by the frame 24. In addition, the telescopic portion 22 b of the pressing actuator 22 is movable with respect to the frame 24, and the pressing member 21 is connected to the distal end of the telescopic portion 22 b.

The transfer device 2 transfers the prepreg PP via the pressing member 21. In other words, the transfer device 2 transfers the prepreg PP by moving the pressing device 20. Accordingly, in the first embodiment, the transfer device 2 includes the pressing device 20.

In the examples illustrated in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7C, the transfer device 2 includes a pressing device 20 and a transfer actuator 26 for moving the pressing device 20 along the transfer direction of the prepreg PP. The transfer actuator 26 is directly or indirectly connected to the pressing device 20. In the examples illustrated in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7C, the transfer actuator 26 is connected to the pressing member 21 via the frame 24 and the pressing actuator 22. More specifically, the telescopic portion 26 b of the transfer actuator 26 is connected to the frame 24, the frame 24 and the pressing actuator 22 (the main body portion 22 a) are connected, and the pressing actuator 22 (the telescopic portion 22 b) and the pressing member 21 are connected to each other.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 7C, the main body portion 26 a of the transfer actuator 26 is connected to the base 40. Then, the frame 24 moves relative to the base 40 as a result of the movement of the telescopic portion 26 b relative to the main body portion 26 a. It should be noted that bearings 42, such as ball bearings, are preferably disposed between the base 40 and the frame 24. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7C, the frame 24 is supported by the base 40 via a plurality of bearings 42. It should be noted that instead of the bearings 42, a linear rail member and a sliding member that slides on the linear rail member may be disposed between the base 40 and the frame 24.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 7C, the transfer device 2 moves the pressing device 20 along the transfer direction of the prepreg PP. The transfer direction of the prepreg PP is a direction that is perpendicular to the direction in which the pressing device 20 (for example, the first pressing member 21-1) presses the prepreg PP.

The composite material component manufacturing device 1B illustrated in FIG. 5 may include a control device 30. When the pressing device 20 is pressing the prepreg PP, the control device 30 sends a movement command for the pressing device 20 to the transfer device 2 (more specifically, to the transfer actuator 26). Based on this movement command, the pressing device 20 and the prepreg PP move by a predetermined distance set in advance. After the movement of the prepreg PP, the control device 30 sends a press release command to the pressing device 20. Based on this press release command, the pressing device 20 separates from the prepreg PP. After the pressing device 20 is separated from the prepreg PP, the control device 30 sends a return command to the transfer device 2. In response to this return command, the pressing device 20 returns to its original position (the home position).

It should be noted that, in the examples illustrated in FIG. 7A, the pressing members 21 have an elongated block shape. More specifically, the first pressing member 21-1 has an elongated block shape that has an upper surface that can contact the prepreg PP and two side surfaces that can contact the prepreg PP. In addition, the second pressing member 21-2 includes a concave portion formed continuously along the longitudinal direction, and the concave portion has a bottom surface that can contact the prepreg PP and two inner side surfaces that can contact the prepreg PP. Each of the third pressing member 21-3 and the fourth pressing member 21-4 also has a side surface facing a portion of the side surface of the first pressing member 21-1. However, the shapes of the pressing members 21 are not limited to the examples illustrated in FIG. 7A, and may be arbitrarily selected.

In the examples illustrated in FIG. 5, the composite material component manufacturing device 1B is a device for manufacturing a composite material component having a C-shaped cross section (or a U-shaped cross section), but the cross-sectional shape of the composite material component manufactured by the composite material component manufacturing device 1B is not limited to a C-shaped cross section.

Second Embodiment

A composite material component manufacturing method and a composite material component manufacturing device 1C according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating a composite material component manufacturing device 1C according to the second embodiment.

The composite material component manufacturing method and the composite material component manufacturing device 1C according to the second embodiment differ from the composite material component manufacturing method and the composite material component manufacturing apparatus 1B according to the first embodiment in that the composite material component is manufactured using a prepreg sheet laminate body P4 formed from a prepreg sheet PC which is continuously fed out and a three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 which is formed into a three-dimensional shape. Otherwise, the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. Accordingly, the description will focus on those points that differ from the first embodiment, and redundant descriptions of the features already described in the first embodiment will be omitted. It should be noted that, in FIG. 8, in order to avoid complication of the drawings, the configuration of the composite material component manufacturing device 1C is illustrated in a simplified manner.

The prepreg sheet PC is wound around a bobbin 78. The prepreg sheet PC may be a single layer prepreg sheet or a multilayer prepreg sheet. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, there are three prepreg sheets PC that constitute the top portion of the composite material component, and each prepreg sheet PC is wound around a corresponding bobbin 78. However, the number of prepreg sheets PC constituting the top portion of the composite material component may be one, two, or four or more. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, there are two prepreg sheets PC that constitute the left side portion of the composite material component, and each prepreg sheet PC is wound around a corresponding bobbin 78. However, the number of prepreg sheets PC constituting the left side portion of the composite material component may be one or three or more. Further, in the example illustrated in FIG. 8, there are two prepreg sheets PC constituting the right side portion of the composite material component, and each prepreg sheet PC is wound around a corresponding bobbin 78. However, the number of prepreg sheets PC constituting the right side portion of the composite material component may be one or three or more.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the prepreg sheet PC fed out from the bobbin 78 is layered with the three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 that has been molded into a three-dimensional shape. It is preferable that the prepreg sheet PC and the three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 fed out from the bobbin 78 are temporarily fixed to each other (for example, partially welded) by an arbitrary welding device 70, such as a soldering iron or an ultrasonic heating device (an ultrasonic welding device). The welding device 70 may be mounted on a welding device moving device 72 (for example, a robot arm), similarly to the example described in FIG. 5.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 molded into a three-dimensional shape may be manufactured by using the above-described Step ST102. In this case, since the prepreg sheet is thermoformed a plurality of times by the molding apparatus 60 (see FIG. 3) and the pressing apparatus 20 (see FIG. 8), the resin of the prepreg in the second embodiment is also a thermoplastic resin, similarly to the resin of the prepreg in the first embodiment.

Third Embodiment

A composite material component manufacturing device 1A according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating an arrangement of the composite material component manufacturing device 1A in the third embodiment.

In the third embodiment, each device arranged upstream of the pressing device 20 is the same as each device arranged upstream of the pressing device 20 in the first embodiment or each device arranged upstream of the pressing device 20 in the first embodiment. For this reason, a redundant description of each device disposed on the upstream side of the pressing device 20 will be omitted. In addition, the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment and the second embodiment in that the pressing device 20 is provided independently of the transfer device 2. In other words, in the third embodiment, the pressing device 20 does not have a function for transferring the prepreg PP, and the transfer of the prepreg PP is performed by a pulling device 28 that is disposed on the downstream side of the pressing device 20 that pulls the prepreg PP (prepreg sheet laminate body P4). Accordingly, in the third embodiment, the pulling device 28 functions as the transfer device 2 for transferring the prepreg PP.

A known pulling device commonly used in Advanced Pultrusion (ADP) devices may be utilized as the pulling device 28. For example, the indexing device described in Patent Document 2 is an example of the pulling device 28 in the present embodiment.

A known pressing device used for thermoforming prepregs may be utilized as the pressing device 20. For example, the hot press device described in Patent Document 2 is an example of the pressing device 20 in the present embodiment.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, a cutting device 29 is arranged downstream of the pulling device 28. The cutting device 29 is a device for cutting the manufactured composite material components into predetermined dimensions.

It should be noted that the pulling device 28 and/or the cutting device 29 in the third embodiment may be utilized in other embodiments.

Fourth Embodiment: Manufacturing Method

A composite material component manufacturing method according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B. FIG. 10A is a schematic plan view illustrating one step of a composite material component manufacturing method according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10B is a schematic plan view illustrating one step of the composite material component manufacturing method according to the fourth embodiment.

The composite material component manufacturing method according to the fourth embodiment differs from the composite material component manufacturing method according to the first embodiment in that the prepreg PP (the prepreg sheet laminate body P4) is moved along a curved trajectory. Otherwise, the fourth embodiment is similar to the first embodiment. Accordingly, in the fourth embodiment, the description will focus on those points that differ from the first embodiment, and a redundant description of the features already described in the first embodiment will be omitted.

In the composite material component manufacturing method according to the fourth embodiment, in the step of transferring the prepreg PP (a prepreg sheet laminate body P4), the prepreg PP moves together with the pressing device 20 in a state in which a pressing force is applied by the pressing device 20. More specifically, the prepreg PP is transferred together with the pressing device 20 (the first pressing member 21-1 and the second pressing member 21-2) in the direction indicated by the arrow AR in a state in which the pressing force is applied by the pressing device 20 (the first pressing member 21-1 and the second pressing member 21-2). It should be noted that the trajectory indicated by the arrow AR is a curved trajectory.

The pressing surface 200 of the pressing device 20 includes a curved surface. In addition, the pressing device 20 moves along a curved trajectory. The pressing surface 200 is, for example, an arc surface. The radius of curvature of the arc surface is, for example, greater than or equal to 1,000 mm and less than or equal to 200,000 mm or less. FIG. 10A illustrates the center axis AX of the arc surface. Then, the pressing device 20 swings about the center axis AX as a swing center.

More specifically, the first pressing surface 200-1 of the first pressing member 21-1 is a curved surface (for example, an arc surface), and the second pressing surface 200-2 of the second pressing member 21-2 is a curved surface (for example, an arc surface). The center axis of the first pressing surface 200-1 (arc surface) and the center axis of the second pressing surface 200-2 (arc surface) are both center axes AX. The first pressing member 21-1 and the second pressing member 21-2 move along a curved trajectory indicated by an arrow AR about the center axis AX.

In the first step (the laminate body molding step), heat and pressure is applied to the prepreg PP (the prepreg sheet laminate body P4) by the pressing device 20. As a result, the prepreg PP (the prepreg sheet laminate body P4) is molded. The arrow AR1 indicates the direction of action of the pressing force from the first pressing member 21-1 on the prepreg PP, and the arrow AR2 indicates the direction of action of the pressing force from the second pressing member 21-2 on the prepreg PP. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10A, when the first pressing member 21-1 approaches the second pressing member 21-2 relatively, the prepreg PP is sandwiched between the first pressing member 21-1 and the second pressing member 21-2.

In the second step (the transfer step), the prepreg PP is transferred. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10A, the prepreg PP moves along the curved trajectory indicated by the arrow AR together with the first pressing member 21-1 and the second pressing member 21-2 in a state in which the prepreg PP is sandwiched by the first pressing member 21-1 and the second pressing member 21-2.

In the third step (the press release step), the pressing force applied to the prepreg PP is released. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10B, in the third step, the first pressing member 21-1 moves in a direction away from the prepreg PP, and the second pressing member 21-2 moves in a direction away from the prepreg PP.

In the fourth step (the pressing device return step), the pressing device 20 moves in a direction opposite to the transfer direction of the prepreg PP (in the direction indicated by the arrow AR′ in FIG. 10B). That is, the first pressing member 21-1 and the second pressing member 21-2 move in the direction indicated by the arrow AR′. In this way, the pressing device 20 returns to its original position prior to beginning the first step (home position). It should be noted that, thereafter, the composite material component may be subjected to further processing, such as cutting. In the fourth embodiment, the first step to the fourth step constitute one cycle.

The first to fourth steps are repeatedly executed. As a result, composite material components are continuously manufactured (formed). It should be noted that, in the above-described second step, the moving distance when the pressing device 20 moves together with the prepreg PP is shorter than the pressing surface length of the pressing surface of the pressing device 20. For example, the above-mentioned moving distance (transfer distance) is ½ or less of the length of the pressing surface (for example, the length of the pressing surface of the first pressing member 21-1). In addition, the swinging angle α of the pressing device 20 is, for example, greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees.

It should be noted that the first step (the laminate body molding step) according to the fourth embodiment corresponds to Step ST106 in the first embodiment, and the second step (the transfer step) according to the third embodiment corresponds to Step ST105 in the first embodiment.

The composite material component manufacturing method according to the fourth embodiment has the same effect as the composite material component manufacturing method according to the first embodiment. In addition, in the composite material component manufacturing method according to the fourth embodiment, the pressing surface 200 of the pressing device 20 includes a curved surface, and the pressing device 20 and the prepreg PP move along a curved trajectory. Accordingly, a composite material component having a curved shape can be suitably manufactured. In pulling type molding methods, tension is applied to a portion softened by the heat from a pressing device. Accordingly, even if the prepreg is formed into a curved shape, the softened portion is straightened when the prepreg is pulled and transferred. In contrast, in the fourth embodiment, the prepreg PP is transported in a state in which the softened portion is maintained by the pressing device 20. Accordingly, the softened portion is not straightened. As a result, it is possible to continuously mold composite material components having the same curvature as the curvature of the pressing surface 200 of the pressing device 20.

Fourth Embodiment: The Transfer Device 2 in the Manufacturing Device

Next, the transfer device 2 used in the composite material component manufacturing device 1D according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C. FIG. 11A is a schematic perspective view of the transfer device 2. FIG. 11B is a schematic front view of the transfer device 2. FIG. 11C is a schematic side view of the transfer device 2.

The transfer device 2 of the composite material component manufacturing device according to the fourth embodiment differs from the transfer device 2 of the composite material component manufacturing device 1A according to the first embodiment in that the prepreg PP is moved along a curved trajectory. Otherwise, the transfer device 2 according to the fourth embodiment is similar to the transfer device 2 according to the first embodiment. Accordingly, in the fourth embodiment, the description will focus on those points that differ from the first embodiment, and redundant descriptions of the features already described in the first embodiment will be omitted.

In the examples illustrated in FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C, the pressing device 20 is supported by the base 40 via a curved rail member 44 and a sliding member 46. More specifically, the curved rail member 44 is attached to the base 40 and the sliding member 46 is attached to the frame 24 of the pressing device 20. The curved rail member 44 and the sliding member 46 are engaged with each other so as to be slidable relative to each other.

In addition, in the example illustrated in FIG. 11C, the transfer actuator 26 and the pressing device 20, (more specifically, the frame 24 of the pressing device) are connected via a universal joint 27.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C, driving of the transfer actuator 26 causes the sliding member 46 to move relative to the curved rail member 44. As a result, the pressing device 20 moves along a curved trajectory defined by the curved rail member 44.

The composite material component manufacturing method according to the fourth embodiment may be carried out using the above-mentioned transfer device 2.

It should be noted that, in the examples illustrated in FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C, each pressing member 21 has an elongated block shape having a curved surface. More specifically, the first pressing member 21-1 has an elongated block shape that has an upper surface (an upper surface in the shape of an arc belt) that can contact the prepreg PP and two side surfaces (arc surfaces) that can contact the prepreg PP. In addition, the second pressing member 21-2 includes a concave portion formed continuously along the curve, and the concave portion has a bottom surface that can contact the prepreg PP and two inner side surfaces that can contact the prepreg PP. Each of the third pressing member 21-3 and the fourth pressing member 21-4 has a side surface (an arc surface) facing a portion of the side surface of the first pressing member 21-1. However, the shape of each pressing member 21 is not limited to the examples illustrated in FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C, and may be arbitrarily selected.

Fifth Embodiment

A composite material component and a composite material component manufacturing device 1E according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 12 to FIG. 14. FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state of molding a cut prepreg sheet P2. FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state of molding the cut prepreg sheet P2. FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating a composite material component manufacturing device 1E according to the fifth embodiment. In FIG. 14, in order to avoid complication of the drawings, the configuration of the composite material component manufacturing device 1E is described in a simplified manner.

The composite material component manufacturing method and the composite material component manufacturing device 1E according to the fifth embodiment are combinations of a portion of the composite material component manufacturing method and the composite material component manufacturing device 1B according to the first embodiment and the transfer device 2 according to the fourth embodiment. Accordingly, in the fifth embodiment, the description will focus on those points that differ from the first embodiment and the fourth embodiment, and redundant descriptions of the features already described in the first embodiment and the fourth embodiment will be omitted.

(Composite Material Component Manufacturing Method

A composite material component manufacturing method according to the fifth embodiment will be described with respect to FIG. 1 and FIG. 12 to FIG. 14.

Since Step ST101 is the same as Step ST101 in the first embodiment, the explanation thereof will be omitted.

In Step ST102, one of the prepreg sheets P2, that is, the first prepreg sheet P2-1, is thermoformed into a three-dimensional shape. The three-dimensional shape is, for example, a shape having at least one bent portion. In this case, Step ST102 includes a bending process.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 12, the prepreg sheet P2 is thermoformed into a three-dimensional shape by using a molding device 60 (a hot press device 60-1). More specifically, the prepreg sheet P2 is placed on a support member 61. Next, the prepreg sheet P2 is pressed by the hot press device 60-1; more specifically, the prepreg sheet P2 is sandwiched between the hot press device 60-1 and the support member 61, thereby bending the prepreg sheet P2. As a result, a three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 thermoformed into a three-dimensional shape (a three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 that has undergone bend processing) is obtained.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 12, the three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 has a curved surface BS (for example, a circular arc surface). More specifically, the three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 has two curved surfaces BS facing each other.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 12, Step ST102 is performed using the hot press device 60-1. The hot press device 60-1 may be a mold member as illustrated in FIG. 12. Alternatively, the thermoforming device for performing Step ST102 may be a device for pressing the prepreg sheet P2 along the surfaces of the support members 61 using a film or the like while heating the prepreg sheet P2 with heaters or the like. Still alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 13, Step ST102 may be performed using other thermoforming devices 60-2, such as soldering irons, ultrasonic heating devices (ultrasonic welding devices), heat rolls, or the like.

In Step ST103, the molded three-dimensional thermoplastic prepreg sheet P3 and another thermoplastic prepreg sheet P3′ (the second prepreg sheet) are laminated. In the example illustrated in FIG. 14, the another prepreg sheet P3′ is also a three-dimensional prepreg sheet produced by using the above-described molding process (Step ST102), similarly to the three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3. In the example illustrated in FIG. 14, each of the three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 and the another prepreg sheet P3′ is a three-dimensional prepreg sheet (a three-dimensional prepreg sheet that has undergone bending processing) having a bent portion Q.

It should be noted that, when the first three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 and the second three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3′ are layered in Step ST103, the first thermoforming step of creating the first three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 by thermoforming the first prepreg sheet P2-1 into a three dimensional shape and the second thermoforming step of creating the second three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3′ by thermoforming the second prepreg sheet P2-2 into a three-dimensional shape may be performed prior to Step ST103.

The molding device 60 for performing the first thermoforming step and the molding device for performing the second thermoforming step may be the same device or different devices.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 14, the another prepreg sheet P3′ is placed on the three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3, thereby forming the prepreg sheet laminate body P4. It should be noted that the three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 and the another prepreg sheet P3′ (that is, the prepreg sheet laminate body P4) are preferably temporarily fixed (for example, partially welded) by an arbitrary welding device 70 such as a soldering iron or an ultrasonic heating device (ultrasonic welding device).

In Step ST104, a plurality of prepreg sheet laminate bodies P4 are connected along the prepreg transfer direction. In the example illustrated in FIG. 14, a plurality of prepreg sheet laminate bodies P4 are arranged along the prepreg transform direction, and adjacent prepreg sheet laminate bodies P4 are connected to each other by an arbitrary welding device 70 such as a soldering iron, an ultrasonic heating device (ultrasonic welding device), or the like. By connecting the plurality of prepreg sheet laminate bodies P4, a continuous, elongated prepreg PP is produced.

It should be noted that Step ST104 may be executed separately from Step ST103, or may be executed simultaneously with the step ST103. In addition, in cases in which one prepreg sheet laminate body P4 is sufficiently long, Step ST104 (the step of connecting the plurality of prepreg sheet laminate bodies) may be omitted.

Steps ST103 and ST104 may be performed manually or automatically mechanically. When performing automation, for example, a welding apparatus 70 such as a soldering iron or an ultrasonic heating device may be mounted on a welding device moving device 72 (for example, a robot arm). In other words, the composite material component manufacturing device 1B may include a welding device 70 and a welding device moving device 72 that connect neighboring prepreg sheet laminate bodies P4.

Alternatively, or additionally, the composite material component manufacturing device 1E may include a transport device 73 (for example, a robotic arm) for transporting the first three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 onto the rail member 74. This transport device 73 may place the second prepreg sheet P3′ (the second three-dimensional prepreg sheet) on the first three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3.

In the fifth embodiment, the steps after Step ST104 may be the same as those of the fourth embodiment. That is, after Step ST104, the first step (the laminate body molding step) to the fourth step (the pressing device returning step) in the fourth embodiment may be performed. Alternatively, Step ST103 and Step ST104 and the second step (the transfer step) may be performed in parallel.

The first to fourth steps in the fifth embodiment may be performed using the transfer device 2 according to the fourth embodiment. In other words, the pressing device 20 and the transfer device 2 according to the fifth embodiment may be the same as the pressing device 20 and the transfer device 2 according to the fourth embodiment.

The fifth embodiment has the same effects as the first embodiment and the fourth embodiment.

It should be noted that in the example illustrated in FIG. 14, Step ST104 (a step of connecting a plurality of prepreg sheet laminate bodies) is performed on the rail member 74. That is, in a state in which the plurality of prepreg sheet laminate bodies P4 are mounted on the rail member 74, the step of connecting the plurality of prepreg sheet laminate bodies by the welding device 70 is performed.

In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 14, when the second step ST2 (the step of transferring the prepreg PP) is performed, the prepreg PP, that is, the connected prepreg sheet laminate bodies P4, slides on the rail member 74. That is, the rail member 74 has a curved shape and functions as a guide member that defines the moving direction of the connected prepreg sheet laminate bodies P4. The rail member 74 has a curved surface 74S corresponding to the curved surface BS of the three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3. The rail member 74 may be made of metal or plastic.

It should be noted that, in the fifth embodiment, since the prepreg sheet is thermoformed a plurality of times by the molding device 60 (see FIG. 12) and the pressing device 20 (see FIG. 14), the resin of the prepreg in the fifth embodiment is a thermoplastic resin.

Modification of the Fifth Embodiment

In the fifth embodiment, an example has been described in which a three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 that has been molded into a three-dimensional shape and another prepreg sheet P3′ that has been molded into a three-dimensional shape are layered to produce the prepreg sheet laminate body P4. Alternatively, the prepreg sheet laminate body P4 may be manufactured by layering a three-dimensional prepreg sheet P3 that has been molded into a three-dimensional shape and a prepreg sheet having a two-dimensional shape (planar shape). In other words, the prepreg sheet P3′ in the fifth embodiment may be replaced with a prepreg sheet having a two-dimensional shape (a planar shape).

Sixth Embodiment

A composite material component manufacturing method and a composite material component manufacturing device 1F according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating a composite material component manufacturing device according to the sixth embodiment.

The composite material component manufacturing method and the composite material component manufacturing device 1F according to the sixth embodiment differ from the composite material component manufacturing method and the composite material component manufacturing device 1E according to the fifth embodiment in that the composite material component is manufactured using a laminate body P4 formed from a three-dimensional prepreg sheet PC that is continuously fed out and a prepreg sheet P3 which is molded into a three-dimensional shape. Otherwise, the sixth embodiment is similar to the fifth embodiment.

Seventh Embodiment

The composite material component manufacturing method and the composite material component manufacturing device 1G according to the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 16 to FIG. 19. FIG. 16 is a partially exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a composite material component manufacturing device 1G according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically illustrating a composite material component manufacturing device 1G according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 18 is a partially enlarged view of the composite material component manufacturing device 1G according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view schematically illustrating an example of a composite material component formed by the composite material component manufacturing method according to the seventh embodiment. It should be noted that, in FIGS. 16 to 18, in order to avoid complication of the drawings, the configuration of the composite material component manufacturing device 1G is described in a simplified manner.

In the composite material component manufacturing method according to the seventh embodiment, the composite material component manufacturing method according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment is combined with the molding performed by the second pressing device 80. Accordingly, in the seventh embodiment, the description will focus on those points that differ from the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and redundant descriptions of the features described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be omitted.

In the seventh embodiment, heat and a pressing force are applied to the prepreg PP by the pressing device 20, and a first molded portion PA (see FIG. 19) is manufactured. In addition, heat and a pressing force are applied to the prepreg PP by the second pressing device 80, whereby a second molded portion PB (see FIG. 19) is manufactured.

In the seventh embodiment, the pressing device 20 and the transfer device 2 that moves the pressing device 20 together with the prepreg PP are the same as the pressing device 20 and the transfer device 2 in the first embodiment. The prepreg PP softened by the pressing device 20 is linearly transported in a state in which pressing force is applied by the pressing device 20.

The second pressing device 80 is, for example, the same pressing device as the pressing device 20 according to the fourth embodiment (for example, the pressing device 20 illustrated in FIG. 10A or FIG. 11A). In addition, the transfer of the material softened by the second pressing device 80 (the prepreg PP) is performed, for example, by the same transfer device as the transfer device 2 (for example, the transfer device 2 illustrated in FIG. 11A) in the fourth embodiment. It should be noted that, in FIG. 16, the second transfer device 8 corresponds to the transfer device 2 illustrated in FIG. 11A. In addition, the first pressing member 81-1 and the second pressing member 81-2 correspond to the first pressing member 21-1 and the second pressing member 21-2 illustrated in FIG. 11B, respectively. In addition, the third pressing member 81-3 and the fourth pressing member 81-4 correspond to the third pressing member 21-3 and the fourth pressing member 21-4 illustrated in FIG. 11B, respectively.

In the seventh embodiment, the portion (the prepreg PP) softened by the second pressing device 80 is transported along a curve in a state in which a pressing force is applied by the second pressing device 80.

In other words, in the seventh embodiment, in the step of transferring the prepreg PP, the first portion (the first molded portion PA) of the prepreg PP moves together with the pressing device 20 in a state in which a pressing force is applied by the pressing device 20, and the second portion (the second molded portion PB) of the prepreg PP moves together with the second pressing device 80 in a state in which a pressing force is applied by the second pressing device 80. The transfer of the prepreg PP using the transfer device 2 and the transfer of the prepreg PP using the second transfer device 8 may be performed simultaneously or at different timings.

It should be noted that, in the seventh embodiment, the curvature (a curvature of zero) of the movement trajectory of the pressing device 20 in the transfer process and the curvature of the movement trajectory of the second pressing device 80 in the transfer process are different from each other. Accordingly, there is a possibility that a prepreg PP that has passed through the pressing device 20 is not smoothly introduced into the second pressing device 80. Therefore, in the examples illustrated in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, a preheating device 85 is disposed between the pressing device 20 and the second pressing device 80.

The preheating device 85 is a device (a softening device) that heats the prepreg PP to a temperature less than or equal to its melting point and preheats a prepreg PP located on the downstream side of the pressing device 20 and the upstream side of the second pressing device 80. The preheating device 85 includes a heater H1. As the prepreg PP is softened by heating, the softened prepreg PP is smoothly introduced into the second pressing device 80.

Referring to FIG. 19, the second molded portion PB has an inner surface B1 having a relatively small radius of curvature and an outer surface B2 having a relatively large radius of curvature. Accordingly, wrinkles may occur on the inner surface B1 at the time of molding. Therefore, in the example illustrated in FIG. 18, an uneven portion 855 is formed on the surface of the feed roller 850 of the preheating device 85. That is, at least one of the plurality of feed rollers 850 is an uneven roller 850 a. The uneven roller 850 a imparts unevenness to the inner surface of the prepreg PP, so that the fibers in the prepreg PP have a zigzag shape. As a result, since the apparent length of the fiber is shortened, wrinkles are less likely to occur on the inner surface of the prepreg PP when the prepreg PP is molded by the second pressing device 80.

Referring to FIG. 19, wrinkles may also occur in the inner region of the top surface B3 of the second molded portion PB. Accordingly, in the example illustrated in FIG. 18, a tapered uneven portion 853 is formed on the surface of the feed roller 850 of the preheating device 85. That is, at least one of the plurality of feed rollers 850 is a tapered uneven roller 850 b. In the example illustrated in FIG. 18, the depth of the uneven portion 854 b becomes gradually shallower from one end surface 851 b of the roller 850 b toward the other end surface 852 b of the roller 850 b. By using a tapered uneven roller 850 b, it is possible to impart unevenness to one side of the top surface of the prepreg PP. In this way, since the apparent length of the fiber is shortened in the inner region of the top surface of the prepreg PP, wrinkles are less likely to occur in the inner region of the top surface of the prepreg PP when the prepreg PP is molded by the second pressing device 80.

The seventh embodiment has the same effects as the first embodiment and the fourth embodiment. In addition, in the seventh embodiment, it is possible to manufacture a composite material component having a straight first molded portion PA and a curved second molded portion PB.

In the seventh embodiment, the first portion of the prepreg (the portion which is sandwiched by the pressing device 20) moves together with the pressing device 20 while a pressing force is applied by the pressing device 20. In addition, the second portion of the prepreg, (the portion which is sandwiched by the second pressing device 80) moves together with the second pressing device 80 in a state in which a pressing force is applied by the second pressing device 80. Accordingly, when the prepreg PP is transferred, tension does not act on the portion softened by the pressing device 20 or the second pressing device 80.

It should be noted that in the seventh embodiment, since the prepreg sheet is thermoformed a plurality of times, it is preferable that the resin of the prepreg in the seventh embodiment is a thermoplastic resin.

Eighth Embodiment

The composite material component manufacturing method and the composite material component manufacturing device 1J according to the eighth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 20 to FIG. 22. FIG. 20 is a partially exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a composite material component manufacturing device 1J according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 21 is a partially enlarged view of the composite material component manufacturing device 1J according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 22 is a schematic perspective view schematically illustrating an example of a composite material component formed by the composite material component manufacturing method according to the eighth embodiment.

In the composite material component manufacturing device 1J according to the eighth embodiment, the pressing device 20 and the transfer device 2 according to the seventh embodiment are replaced by a pressing device 90 and a transfer device 9. In the eighth embodiment, the rail member 74′ on the upstream side of the pressing device 90 is a deformable rail member. Otherwise, the composite material component manufacturing device 1J according to the eighth embodiment is the same as the composite material component manufacturing device 1G according to the seventh embodiment. Accordingly, in the eighth embodiment, the description will focus on the points that differ from the seventh embodiment, and redundant descriptions for the features already described in the seventh embodiment will be omitted.

In the eighth embodiment, heat and a pressing force are applied to the prepreg PP by the pressing device 90, and the first molded portion PD (see FIG. 22) is manufactured. In addition, heat and a pressing force are applied to the prepreg PP by the second pressing device 80, whereby the second molded portion PB (see FIG. 22) is manufactured.

In the eighth embodiment, the pressing device 90 is, for example, the same pressing device as the pressing device 20 according to the fourth embodiment (for example, the pressing device 20 illustrated in FIG. 11A). In addition, the transfer of the portion (the prepreg PP) softened by the pressing device 90 is performed by, for example, a transfer device similar to the transfer device 2 (for example, the transfer device 2 illustrated in FIG. 11A) according to the fourth embodiment. It should be noted that in FIG. 20, the transfer device 9 corresponds to the transfer device 2 illustrated in FIG. 11A. In addition, the first pressing member 91-1 and the second pressing member 91-2 correspond to the first pressing member 21-1 and the second pressing member 21-2 illustrated in FIG. 11B, respectively. The third pressing member 91-3 and the fourth pressing member 91-4 correspond to the third pressing member 21-3 and the fourth pressing member 21-4 illustrated in FIG. 11B, respectively.

The portion (the prepreg PP) softened by the pressing device 90 is transferred along a curve in a state where a pressing force is applied by the pressing device 90.

The second pressing device 80 and the second transfer device 8 according to the eighth embodiment are the same as the second pressing device 80 and the second transfer device 8 according to the seventh embodiment. It should be noted that, in the eighth embodiment, the curvature of the pressing surface of the third pressing member 81-3 that constitutes a portion of the second pressing device 80 is different from the curvature of the pressing surface of the third pressing member 91-3 that constitutes a portion of the pressing device 90. Similarly, the curvature of the pressing surface of the fourth pressing member 81-4 is different from the curvature of the pressing surface of the fourth pressing member 91-4.

In the eighth embodiment, the portion (the prepreg PP) softened by the second pressing device 80 is transferred along a curve while a pressing force is applied by the second pressing device 80.

In other words, in the eighth embodiment, in the step of transferring the prepreg PP, the first portion (the first molding portion PD) of the prepreg PP moves together with the pressing device 90 in a state in which a pressing force is applied by the pressing device 90, and the second portion (the second molding portion PB) of the prepreg PP moves together with the second pressing device 80 in a state in which a pressing force is applied by the second pressing device 80. The transfer of the prepreg PP using the transfer device 9 and the transfer of the prepreg PP using the second transfer device 8 may be performed simultaneously or at different timings.

In the eighth embodiment, the curvature of the movement trajectory of the pressing device 90 in the transfer process and the curvature of the movement trajectory of the second pressing device 80 in the transfer process are different from each other. Accordingly, there is a possibility that a prepreg PP that has passed through the pressing device 90 is not smoothly introduced into the second pressing device 80. Accordingly, in the eighth embodiment as well, similar to the seventh embodiment, a preheating device may be disposed between the pressing device 90 and the second pressing device 80. The configuration of the preheating device may be the same as that of the preheating device 85 according to the seventh embodiment.

The eighth embodiment achieves the same effects as those of the seventh embodiment. In addition, in the eighth embodiment, it is possible to manufacture a composite material component having a curved first molded portion PD and a curved second molded portion PB that has a curvature different from that of the first molded portion PD. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 22, the radius of curvature R1 of the first molded portion PD is larger than the radius of curvature R2 of the second molded portion PB. The radius of curvature R1 is, for example, greater than or equal to 1,000 mm and less than or equal to 200,000 mm. The radius of curvature R2 is, for example, greater than or equal to 1,000 mm and less than or equal to 200,000 mm.

In the eighth embodiment, the first portion of the prepreg (the portion which is sandwiched by the pressing device 90) moves together with the pressing device 90 while a pressing force is applied by the pressing device 90. In addition, the second portion of the prepreg (the portion which is sandwiched by the second pressing device 80) moves together with the second pressing device 80 in a state in which a pressing force is applied by the second pressing device 80. Accordingly, when the prepreg PP is transferred, tension does not act on the portion softened by the pressing device 90 or the second pressing device 80.

It should be noted that, as illustrated in FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, the rail member 74′ on the upstream side of the pressing device 90 may be a deformable rail member. For example, the rail member 74′ may be deformed using a plurality of actuators 95. When a prepreg sheet corresponding to the first molded portion PD molded by the pressing device 90 is supplied, the curvature of the rail member 74′ is set to the curvature of the first molded portion PD. When a prepreg sheet corresponding to the second molded portion PB molded by the second pressing device 80 is supplied, the curvature of the rail member 74′ is set to the curvature of the second molded portion PB.

It should be noted that, in the eighth embodiment, since the prepreg sheet is thermoformed a plurality of times, it is preferable that the resin of the prepreg in the eighth embodiment is a thermoplastic resin.

(1) In embodiments, at least one prepreg sheet is processed into a three-dimensional shape prior to forming a prepreg laminate body. Then, the three-dimensional prepreg sheets P3 that have been processed into three-dimensional shapes are layered with the other prepreg sheets. Accordingly, as compared with cases in which the entire prepreg sheet laminate body is simultaneously subjected to bending processing, the occurrence of wrinkles and breakage is suppressed, and erratic movement does not occur during transfer, such that it is possible to stably and continuously form prepreg sheet laminate bodies. In addition, when a hard prepreg such as a prepreg containing a thermoplastic resin is used, a large load is applied to the roller when the prepreg sheet laminate body is pre-molded (preformed) by a roller or the like, and the prepreg sheet laminate body tends to move erratically. On the other hand, in cases in which at least one prepreg sheet is processed into a three-dimensional shape before the prepreg sheet laminate body is formed, the pre-molding by the roller can be omitted (or partially omitted), and the erratic movement of the prepreg sheet laminate body is less likely to occur. Further, in pulling type molding methods, in cases in which a release film is disposed on the surface of the prepreg, the occurrence of wrinkles and damage to the release film are apt to occur due to a large frictional force between the pre-mold roller and the release film. On the other hand, in embodiments, since it is not necessary to pre-mold the entire prepreg sheet laminate body at the same time, the frictional force between the pre-mold roller and the release film can be reduced. As a result, the occurrence of wrinkles and damage to the release film are unlikely to occur.

(2) In some embodiments, the prepreg sheet laminate body moves along a curved trajectory. For this reason, continuous molding of composite material components with curvature is possible.

Composite material components manufactured according to embodiments include, for example, elongated components for structural members of an aircraft. The cross-sectional shape of the elongated components may be an L-shape, an H-shape, a T-shape, or an S2 (omega) shape in addition to the C-shape described in the above embodiments. The composite material components manufactured according to embodiments may be aircraft interior components formed of a thermoplastic resin. In addition, it is also possible to manufacture small components by cutting the elongated components. Accordingly, the composite material components produced according to embodiments may be small components or components used in devices other than aircraft.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Within the scope of the present invention, it is possible to freely combine the above-described embodiments, to modify any component of each embodiment, or to omit any component in each embodiment.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1J . . . Composite material component     manufacturing device, 2 . . . Transfer device, 8 . . . Second     transfer device, 9 . . . Transfer device, 20 . . . . Pressing     device, 21-1 . . . First pressing device, 21-2 . . . Second pressing     device, 21-3 . . . Third pressing device, 21-4 . . . Fourth pressing     device, 22 . . . Pressing actuator, 22-1 . . . First actuator, 22-2     . . . Second actuator, 22-3 . . . Third actuator, 22-4 . . . Fourth     actuator, 22 a . . . Main body portion, 22 b . . . Telescopic     portion, 24 . . . Frame, 26 . . . Transfer actuator, 26 a . . . Main     body portion, 26 b . . . Telescopic portion, 27 . . . Universal     joint, 28 . . . Pulling device, 29 . . . Cutting device, 30 . . .     Control device, 40 . . . Base, 42 . . . Bearings, 44 . . . Curved     rail member, 46 . . . Sliding member, 60 . . . Molding device, 60-1     . . . Hot press devices, 60-2 . . . Thermoforming device, 61 . . .     Support member, 63 . . . Driving device, 64 . . . Robot arm, 70 . .     . Welding device, 72 . . . Welding device moving device, 73 . . .     Transport device, 74 . . . Rail member, 74′ . . . Rail member, 74S .     . . Curved surface, 78 . . . Bobbin, 80 . . . Second pressing     device, 81-1 . . . First pressing member, 81-2 . . . Second pressing     member, 81-3 . . . Third pressing member, 81-4 . . . Fourth pressing     member, 85 . . . Preheating device, 90 . . . Pressing device, 91-1 .     . . First pressing member, 91-2 . . . Second pressing member, 91-3 .     . . Third pressing member, 91-4 . . . Fourth pressing member, 95 . .     . Actuator, 200 . . . Pressing surface, 200-1 . . . First pressing     surface, 200-2 . . . Second pressing surface, 850 . . . Feed roller,     850 a . . . Uneven roller, 850 b . . . Tapered uneven roller, 851 b     . . . One end surface, 852 b . . . Other end surface, 853 . . .     Uneven portion, 854 b . . . Concave portion, 855 . . . Uneven     portion, B1 . . . Inner surface, B2 . . . Outer surface, B3 . . .     Top surface, BS . . . Curved surface, H . . . Heater, H1 . . .     Heater, P 1 . . . Prepreg, P2 . . . Prepreg sheet, P3 . . .     Three-dimensional prepreg Sheet, P3′ . . . Prepreg Sheet, P4 . . .     Prepreg sheet laminate body, P4-a . . . Transfer direction upstream     end portion, P4-b . . . Transfer direction downstream end portion,     PA . . . First molded portion, PB . . . Second molded portion, PD .     . . First molded portion, PP . . . Prepreg, Q . . . Bent portion, Q1     . . . Bent portion 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A composite material component manufacturing method comprising: creating a first three-dimensional prepreg sheet by thermoforming a thermoplastic first prepreg sheet into a three-dimensional shape; creating a prepreg sheet laminate body by layering the first three-dimensional prepreg sheet and a second prepreg sheet; molding the prepreg sheet laminate body by applying heat and a pressing force to the prepreg sheet laminate body with a pressing device; connecting an end portion of the prepreg sheet laminate body and an end portion of another prepreg sheet laminate body; and transferring the prepreg sheet laminate body along a transfer direction, wherein the connecting is performed on a rail member, and wherein the transferring includes sliding the prepreg sheet laminate body on the rail member after the connecting.
 2. The composite material component manufacturing method according to claim 1, further comprising: creating the second prepreg sheet by thermoforming a prepreg sheet other than the first prepreg sheet into a three-dimensional shape; and wherein the creating a prepreg sheet laminate body includes layering the first three-dimensional prepreg sheet and the second prepreg sheet.
 3. The composite material component manufacturing method according to claim 2, wherein the creating a prepreg sheet laminate body further comprises: temporarily fixing, by welding, the first three-dimensional prepreg sheet and the second prepreg sheet after the creating a first three-dimensional prepreg sheet.
 4. The composite material component manufacturing method according to claim 3, wherein: the connecting an end portion of the prepreg sheet laminate body and an end portion of another prepreg sheet laminate body further comprises connecting an end portion of the prepreg sheet laminate body on an upstream side of the transfer direction and an end portion of the another prepreg sheet laminate body on a downstream side of the transfer direction, and the connecting an end portion of the prepreg sheet laminate body and an end portion of another prepreg sheet laminate body is performed prior to the molding the prepreg sheet laminate body.
 5. The composite material component manufacturing method according to claim 4, wherein: transfer of the prepreg sheet laminate body is performed by a pulling device that is disposed downstream of the pressing device pulling the prepreg sheet laminate body.
 6. The composite material component manufacturing method according to claim 4, wherein: the transferring includes moving the prepreg sheet laminate body together with the pressing device in a state where a pressing force is applied to the prepreg sheet laminate body by the pressing device.
 7. The composite material component manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein: the prepreg sheet laminate body is transferred along a curved trajectory.
 8. The composite material component manufacturing method according to claim 7, wherein: the first three-dimensional prepreg sheet includes a bent portion formed along a longitudinal direction of the first three-dimensional prepreg sheet; and the prepreg sheet laminate body prior to performing the molding the prepreg sheet laminate body includes a bent portion formed along a longitudinal direction of the prepreg sheet laminate body.
 9. The composite material component manufacturing method according to claim 8, wherein: the composite material component is an aircraft component or an automobile component.
 10. The composite material component manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the creating a prepreg sheet laminate body further comprises: temporarily fixing, by welding, the first three-dimensional prepreg sheet and the second prepreg sheet after the creating a first three-dimensional prepreg sheet.
 11. The composite material component manufacturing method according to claim 10, wherein: the connecting an end portion of the prepreg sheet laminate body and an end portion of another prepreg sheet laminate body further comprises connecting an end portion of the prepreg sheet laminate body on an upstream side of the transfer direction and an end portion of the another prepreg sheet laminate body on a downstream side of the transfer direction, and the connecting an end portion of the prepreg sheet laminate body and an end portion of another prepreg sheet laminate body is performed prior to the molding the prepreg sheet laminate body.
 12. The composite material component manufacturing method according to claim 11, wherein: transfer of the prepreg sheet laminate body is performed by a pulling device that is disposed downstream of the pressing device pulling the prepreg sheet laminate body.
 13. The composite material component manufacturing method according to claim 12, wherein: the prepreg sheet laminate body is transferred along a curved trajectory.
 14. The composite material component manufacturing method according to claim 13, wherein: the first three-dimensional prepreg sheet includes a bent portion formed along a longitudinal direction of the first three-dimensional prepreg sheet; and the prepreg sheet laminate body prior to performing the molding the prepreg sheet laminate body includes a bent portion formed along a longitudinal direction of the prepreg sheet laminate body.
 15. The composite material component manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein: the connecting an end portion of the prepreg sheet laminate body and an end portion of another prepreg sheet laminate body further comprises connecting an end portion of the prepreg sheet laminate body on an upstream side of the transfer direction and an end portion of the another prepreg sheet laminate body on a downstream side of the transfer direction, and the connecting an end portion of the prepreg sheet laminate body and an end portion of another prepreg sheet laminate body is performed prior to the molding the prepreg sheet laminate body.
 16. The composite material component manufacturing method according to claim 15, wherein: transfer of the prepreg sheet laminate body is performed by a pulling device that is disposed downstream of the pressing device pulling the prepreg sheet laminate body.
 17. The composite material component manufacturing method according to claim 16, wherein: the prepreg sheet laminate body is transferred along a curved trajectory.
 18. A composite material component manufacturing method comprising: creating a first three-dimensional prepreg sheet by thermoforming a thermoplastic first prepreg sheet into a three-dimensional shape; creating a prepreg sheet laminate body by layering the first three-dimensional prepreg sheet and a second prepreg sheet; molding the prepreg sheet laminate body by applying heat and a pressing force to the prepreg sheet laminate body with a pressing device; and connecting an end portion of the prepreg sheet laminate body and an end portion of another prepreg sheet laminate body and; transferring the prepreg sheet laminate body along a transfer direction, wherein the connecting is performed on a rail member, and wherein the transferring includes sliding the prepreg sheet laminate body on the rail member after the connecting, and wherein the creating a prepreg sheet laminate body further comprises temporarily fixing, by welding, the first three-dimensional prepreg sheet and the second prepreg sheet after the creating a first three-dimensional prepreg sheet. 